Double cabinet vacuum insulated refrigerator with a structural foamed mullion

ABSTRACT

An insulation system for an appliance includes a first vacuum insulated structure having a first set of sidewalls that define a first refrigerating compartment, a second vacuum insulated structure having a second set of sidewalls that define a second refrigerating compartment and a medial insulation structure having a rigid perimeter wall. The rigid perimeter wall includes a front portion that defines at least one hinge support adapted to support an appliance door. The rigid perimeter wall defines an insulating cavity that is filled with an insulating material. The first vacuum insulated structure engages a first edge of the perimeter wall and the second vacuum insulated structure engages a second edge of the perimeter wall.

FIELD OF THE DEVICE

The device is in the field of insulating structures for appliances, morespecifically, a multi-component insulating structure having a structuralfoamed mullion.

SUMMARY

In at least one aspect, an insulation system for an appliance includes afirst vacuum insulated structure having a first set of sidewalls thatdefine a first refrigerating compartment, a second vacuum insulatedstructure having a second set of sidewalls that define a secondrefrigerating compartment and a medial insulation structure having arigid perimeter wall. The rigid perimeter wall includes a front portionthat defines at least one hinge support adapted to support an appliancedoor. The rigid perimeter wall defines an insulating cavity that isfilled with an insulating material. The first vacuum insulated structureengages a first edge of the perimeter wall and the second vacuuminsulated structure engages a second edge of the perimeter wall.

In at least another aspect, an appliance includes a first vacuuminsulated structure defining a first refrigerating compartment. Thefirst vacuum insulated structure has an injection molded first-structuretrim breaker extending between a first-structure inner liner and afirst-structure outer wrapper of the first vacuum insulated structure.At least one door is operable to at least partially enclose the firstrefrigerating compartment. An interior mullion has a medial insulationstructure with a rigid perimeter wall disposed within the interiormullion. The interior mullion further defines the first refrigeratingcompartment. The rigid perimeter wall includes a front portion thatdefines at least one hinge support adapted to support the at least onedoor.

In at least another aspect, a method of forming an appliance includesshaping a rigid perimeter wall to define a mullion wall and upper andlower flanges that define a mullion cavity. At least one hinge supportis formed within a front portion of the rigid perimeter wall. Themullion cavity is filled with an insulating material, wherein theinsulating material is injected through an insulation port definedwithin the rigid perimeter wall. A first vacuum insulated structure isformed, wherein a vacuum insulated material is disposed between afirst-structure liner and a first-structure wrapper and afirst-structure trim breaker is injection molded to from a seal betweenthe first-structure liner and the first-structure wrapper. The firstvacuum insulated structure is formed on the upper flange of the rigidperimeter wall to define a first refrigerating compartment. A door isattached to the at least one hinge support, wherein structural supportfor the door is supplied by the rigid perimeter wall and wherein thedoor and the first vacuum insulated structure are each supported by therigid perimeter wall.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present devicewill be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the artupon studying the following specification, claims, and appendeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerating applianceincorporating an aspect of the multi-component insulation structure;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an aspect of the multi-componentinsulation structure for an appliance;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the multi-component insulationstructure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-component insulationstructure of FIG. 2 taken along line IV-IV;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of an aspect of a rigid perimeter wallfor a medial insulation structure of an aspect of the multi-componentinsulation structure, with the rigid perimeter wall in a pre-formedstate;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the rigid perimeter wall of FIG. 5with the rigid perimeter wall manipulated to define a mullion wall andupper and lower flanges of the rigid perimeter wall;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-component insulationstructure of FIG. 3 taken along line VII-VII;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an aspect of a multi-componentinsulation structure showing the installation of an insulating materialwithin an insulating cavity formed by the rigid perimeter wall; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a method for forming anappliance incorporating an aspect of the multi-component insulationstructure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the device as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it isto be understood that the device may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, reference numeral 10 generally refers to amulti-component insulation structure for an appliance 12. According tothe various embodiments, the multi-component insulation structure 10 forthe appliance 12 can include a first vacuum insulated structure 14defining a first refrigerating compartment 16. At least one door 18 ofthe appliance 12 is operable to at least partially enclose the firstrefrigerating compartment 16. An interior mullion 20 of the appliance 12includes a medial insulation structure 22 having a rigid perimeter wall24 disposed within the interior mullion 20. The interior mullion 20serves to further define the first refrigerating compartment 16.Additionally, the rigid perimeter wall 24 defines at least one hingesupport 26 adapted to support the at least one door 18 of the appliance12. According to various embodiments, the multi-component insulationstructure 10 can also include a second vacuum insulated structure 28that defines a second refrigerating compartment 30. In such anembodiment, the interior mullion 20 serves to at least partially definethe second refrigerating compartment 30 and also separates the first andsecond refrigerating compartments 16, 30. The interior mullion 20 servesto separate the first and second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, the rigid perimeter wall 24 includes agenerally “C” type cross section that defines a mullion wall 40, anupper flange 42 and a lower flange 44. It is contemplated that the atleast one hinge support 26 is defined within the mullion wall 40.Additionally, the first vacuum insulated structure 14 engages the upperflange 42 of the rigid perimeter wall 24 and the second vacuum insulatedstructure 28 engages the lower flange 44 of the rigid perimeter wall 24.

According to the various embodiments, the interior mullion 20 can beoriented in a horizontal configuration such that the first vacuuminsulated structure 14 that defines the first refrigerating compartment16 is positioned above and rests upon the upper flange 42 of the rigidperimeter wall 24. In turn, the lower flange 44 of the rigid perimeterwall 24 can be configured to rest upon the second vacuum insulatedstructure 28, such that the interior mullion 20 fully separates thefirst and second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28 and also provides aseparation between the first and second refrigerating compartments 16,30. It is also contemplated that the first and second refrigeratingcompartments 16, 30 can be positioned to the left and right of avertically-oriented interior mullion 20.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-6, the rigid perimeter wall 24 having themullion wall 40 and the upper and lower flanges 42, 44 can define amullion insulating cavity 46. The mullion insulating cavity 46 can alsobe defined by the first and second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28,where the first vacuum insulated structure 14 defines an upper boundary48 of the mullion insulating cavity 46 and the second vacuum insulatedstructure 28 defines a lower boundary 50 of the mullion insulatingcavity 46 of the rigid perimeter wall 24. It is contemplated that themullion insulating cavity 46 can be at least partially filled with aninsulating material 52. Within at least a portion of the mullion wall40, the rigid perimeter wall 24 can include an injection port 54 thatextends through at least a portion of the interior mullion 20 and intothe mullion insulating cavity 46. Through this injection port 54, theinsulating material 52 can be blown, injected, or otherwise disposedwithin the mullion insulating cavity 46 and within the interior mullion20 between the first and second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28.

According to various embodiments, it is contemplated that the insulatingmaterial 52 can be disposed through the injection port 54 after theinterior mullion 20 is engaged with the first and second vacuuminsulated structures 14, 28, such that the mullion insulating cavity 46can be defined within the rigid perimeter wall 24 and between the firstand second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28. It is furthercontemplated that the insulating material 52 can be disposed within themullion insulating cavity 46 before the first and second vacuuminsulated structures 14, 28 are assembled with the interior mullion 20.In such an embodiment, the rigid perimeter wall 24 can be disposedwithin a form structure that defines the upper and lower boundaries 48,50 of the mullion insulating cavity 46 defined by the rigid perimeterwall 24. The insulating material 52 can then be injected into themullion insulating cavity 46 to define the interior mullion 20, whichcan be fully or partially insulated, for assembly with the first andsecond vacuum insulated structures 14, 28. It is further contemplatedthat when the insulating material 52 is disposed within the mullioninsulating cavity 46, various utility fixtures 60 can be disposed withinthe mullion insulating cavity 46 for use within the appliance 12. Suchutility fixtures 60 can include, but are not limited to, ice dispensers,water filters, water dispensers, water tanks, water lines, electricalwiring, refrigerant lines, ductwork, conduit and/or harnesses therefor,combinations thereof, and other similar utility-related fixtures forserving the appliance 12. In such an embodiment, the one or more utilityfixtures 60 can be at least partially surrounded by the insulatingmaterial 52.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the hinge support 26 that is definedwithin the rigid perimeter wall 24 is adapted to receive at least onehinge 70 upon which a rotationally operable door 18 can be supported.With the hinge support 26 defined within the rigid perimeter wall 24,downward force 72 and/or rotational force is transferred from the door18 to the cabinet 74 of the appliance 12 that includes themulti-component insulation structure 10 and is delivered into the rigidperimeter wall 24 of the interior mullion 20. Accordingly, variousrotational and downward forces 72 exerted by the weight of the door 18can be delivered into the interior mullion 20. These various rotationaland downward forces 72 can then be transferred directly to otherstructural components of the door 18, such as a primary outer wrapper 76that extends substantially over the multi-component insulation structure10 to form the cabinet 74. Accordingly, portions of the rigid perimeterwall 24 can be attached directly to the primary outer wrapper 76. Inthis manner, the rotational and downward force 72 of the door 18 can betransferred through the hinge supports 26, into the rigid perimeter wall24 and out to the primary outer wrapper 76 to be transferred to thefloor. Accordingly, these downward forces 72 can be directed away fromthe first and second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28, to prevent suchforces from bending, twisting, or otherwise deforming the first andsecond vacuum insulated structures 14, 28. Such deformation may resultin a stretching, cracking or other damage that can cause a loss ofvacuum pressure within the first and second vacuum insulated structures14, 28, and loss of insulating capability within the multi-componentinsulation structure 10.

According to the various embodiments, as exemplified in FIGS. 2-6, therigid perimeter wall 24 can be made of various rigid materials that caninclude, but are not limited to, metal, metal alloys, compositematerials, various polymers, combinations thereof, and other similarrigid materials within which the hinge supports 26 can be defined forreceiving and supporting the hinges 70 and doors 18 of the appliance 12.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, it is contemplated that the appliance 12can include right and left French doors 90, 92, such as in the case of aFrench door bottom mount (FDBM) appliance 12. In such an embodiment, theat least one hinge support 26 can include right and left hinge supports94, 96 disposed within the mullion wall 40 for supporting the right andleft French doors 90, 92 from below. As discussed above, the placementof the hinge supports 26 within the mullion wall 40 of the rigidperimeter wall 24 serves to transfer the rotational and downward forces72 of the right and left French doors 90, 92 into the rigid perimeterwall 24 and out to the primary outer wrapper 76 of the appliance 12. Asnoted above, these forces, through this configuration, are directed awayfrom the first and second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28 to minimizethe application of stresses placed upon the first and second vacuuminsulated structures 14, 28.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the first vacuum insulated structure 14can include an upper rigid support 100 that is adapted to at leastpartially align and support a door 18 of the appliance 12. It iscontemplated that the upper rigid support 100 can be positionedproximate the right and left French doors 90, 92 of the appliance 12such that right and left upper hinge supports 102, 104 can be positionedwithin right and left upper rigid supports 106, 108 for supporting theright and left French doors 90, 92. As with the rigid perimeter wall 24,the right and left upper rigid supports 106, 108 can be connected to theprimary outer wrapper 76 such that forces transferred from the right andleft French doors 90, 92 can be directed through the right and leftupper rigid supports 106, 108 and away from the first and second vacuuminsulated structures 14, 28.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-7, the first vacuum insulated structure 14can include a first-structure inner liner 110 and a first-structureouter wrapper 112. The first-structure inner liner 110 andfirst-structure outer wrapper 112 are coupled together at afirst-structure trim breaker 114 that spans therebetween and at leastpartially defines a hermetic seal of the first vacuum insulatedstructure 14. Similarly, the second vacuum insulated structure 28 caninclude a second-structure inner liner 116 and a second-structure outerwrapper 118. The second-structure inner liner 116 and second-structureouter wrapper 118 are coupled together at a second-structure trimbreaker 120 that spans therebetween and defines a hermetic seal at thesecond vacuum insulated structure 28. During the formation of the firstand second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28, after the first-structuretrim breaker 114 and second-structure trim breaker 120 are disposed onthe first and second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28, respectively,an insulating material 52 can be disposed within each of a first andsecond insulating cavity 124, 126 of the respective first and secondvacuum insulated structures 14, 28. After air 122 is expressed from eachof the first and second insulating cavities 124, 126, and an at leastpartial vacuum is defined within each of the first and second insulatingcavities 124, 126, the hermetic seal defined by the first-structure trimbreaker 114 and second-structure trim breaker 120 substantially preventsthe infiltration of air 122 into the first and second vacuum insulatedstructures 14, 28.

According to the various embodiments, the placement of the hingesupports 26 within the interior mullion 20 and within the right and leftupper rigid supports 106, 108 serves to transfer various forces from theright and left French doors 90, 92 away from the first and second vacuuminsulated structures 14, 28. According to various embodiments, the rightand left upper rigid supports 106, 108 can be attached to the exterior130 of the first-structure outer wrapper 112 such that the right andleft hinge supports 94, 96 can extend upward or outward and extendthrough the primary outer wrapper 76 for engagement with the hinges 70of the right and left French doors 90, 92.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-7, the first-structure trim breaker 114 ofthe first vacuum insulated structure 14 can be injection molded overportions of the first-structure inner liner 110 and the first-structureouter wrapper 112. According to various embodiments, during theinjection molding of the first-structure trim breaker 114, a sealingmaterial 140 can be disposed between the first-structure trim breaker114 and the first-structure inner liner 110 and the first-structureouter wrapper 112. After being injection molded, the combination of thefirst-structure trim breaker 114 and the sealing material 140 definesthe hermetic seal that maintains the at least partial vacuum within thefirst insulating cavity 124 of the first vacuum insulated structure 14.It is also contemplated that the second-structure trim breaker 120 canbe injection molded over portions of the second-structure inner liner116 and the second-structure outer wrapper 118. Again, during theinjection molding of the second-structure trim breaker 120, the sealingmaterial 140 can be disposed between the second-structure trim breaker120 and the second-structure inner liner 116 and the second-structureouter wrapper 118 to further define the hermetic seal for maintainingthe at least partial vacuum within the second insulating cavity 126 ofthe second vacuum insulated structure 28. According to variousembodiments, the sealing material 140 can include various materials thatcan include, but are not limited to, glue, adhesives, silicone, rubber,and other similar sealing materials 140. It is also contemplated thatthe first-structure and second-structure trim breakers 114, 120 can beextruded or attached through an injection/extrusion process and disposedat the edges of the first and second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28to at least partially define the hermetic seal described herein.

After the first-structure and second-structure trim breakers 114, 120are injection molded on the first and second vacuum insulated structures14, 28, respectively, the primary outer wrapper 76 can be placed overportions of the first and second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28 andin particular over portions of the first-structure and second-structuretrim breakers 114, 120. In this matter, the primary outer wrapper 76 candefine a contact flange 150 that conceals the first-structure andsecond-structure trim breakers 114, 120 and provides a contact surface152 against which the left and right French doors 92, 90 can engage andseal against to define a closed position of the right and left Frenchdoors 92, 90. It is also contemplated that an interstitial space 154defined proximate the first-structure and second-structure trim breakers114, 120 can include various condensation-limiting features that caninclude, but are not limited to, heating elements, foamed insulation,heat loops, utility fixtures 60, combinations thereof and other similarcondensation-preventing fixtures.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, having described various aspects of themulti-component insulation structure 10 and its incorporation withinvarious appliances 12, a method 400 is disclosed for forming anappliance 12 that incorporates an aspect of the multi-componentinsulation structure 10. According to the method 400, a rigid perimeterwall 24 is shaped to define a mullion wall 40 and upper and lowerflanges 42, 44 that define a mullion cavity (step 402). At least onehinge support 26 is formed within a front portion 160 of a rigidperimeter wall 24 (step 404). As discussed above, the at least one hingesupport 26 is configured to support a hinge 70 and also at least onedoor 18 for the appliance 12, such that downward forces 72 experiencedby the door 18 are not transferred into the first and second vacuuminsulated structures 14, 28. The first vacuum insulated structure 14 canthen be disposed on the upper flange 42 of the rigid perimeter wall 24to define the first refrigerating compartment 16 (step 406). Asdiscussed above, it is contemplated that a second vacuum insulatedstructure 28 can be disposed under the lower flange 44 of the rigidperimeter wall 24 such that the second vacuum insulated structure 28 andthe interior mullion 20 can define a second refrigerating compartment30.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-9, according to the method 400, a firstvacuum insulated structure 14 is formed (step 408). An insulatingmaterial 52 can be disposed between a first-structure inner liner 110and a first-structure outer wrapper 112. The first-structure trimbreaker 114 can then be injection molded to form a seal between thefirst-structure inner liner 110 and the first-structure outer wrapper112. As discussed above, at least a portion of the air 122 definedwithin the first insulating cavity 124 can be expressed to define atleast partial vacuum to form the first vacuum insulated structure 14.

According to various aspects of the method 400, the mullion insulatingcavity 46 is filled with an insulating material 52, where the insulatingmaterial 52 is injected through an insulation injection port 54 definedwithin a rigid perimeter wall 24 (step 410). As discussed above, theinsulating material 52 can be disposed within the mullion insulatingcavity 46, when the rigid perimeter wall 24 is set within a form thatdefines the upper and lower boundaries 48, 50 of the insulating cavity.It is also contemplated that the insulating material 52 can be injectedafter the first and second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28 areattached to the interior mullion 20. In this latter embodiment, theinjection of the insulating material 52 can serve to at least partiallyadhere the first and second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28 to therigid perimeter wall 24 to form a substantially integral configurationof the multi-component insulation structure 10. It is contemplated thatafter the multi-component insulation structure 10 is formed, a primaryouter wrapper 76 can be disposed around the first and second vacuuminsulated structures 14, 28 in the rigid perimeter wall 24 to define thecabinet 74 of the appliance 12. Additionally, during the formation ofthe interior mullion 20 and before the insulation material is injectedthrough the injection port 54 of the rigid perimeter wall 24, at leastone utility fixture can be disposed within the mullion insulating cavity46, such that when the insulating material 52 is injected through theinjection port 54, the insulating material 52 at least partiallysurrounds the various utility fixtures 60 disposed therein. After thecabinet 74 of the appliance 12 is formed, a door 18 can be attached tothe at least one hinge support 26 (step 412). As discussed above, thestructural support for the door 18 is supplied by the rigid perimeterwall 24 and not by the first and second vacuum insulated structures 14,28. Accordingly, the door 18 and the first vacuum insulated structure 14can each be supported on the rigid perimeter wall 24. It is contemplatedthat the rigid perimeter wall 24 can be attached directly to the primaryouter wrapper 76 such that downward forces 72 and rotational forcesreceived by the rigid perimeter wall 24 can be transferred through theprimary outer wrapper 76 and to the ground such that these forces can bekept away from the first and second vacuum insulated structures 14, 28.

According to the various embodiments, the various aspects of themulti-component insulation structure 10 can be incorporated withinvarious appliances 12 that can include, but are not limited to,refrigerators, freezers, ovens, dishwashers, laundry appliances, waterheaters, various household fixtures, combinations thereof, and othersimilar appliances and household fixtures.

According to the various embodiments, the various insulation materialsdisposed within the multi-component insulation structure 10 can include,but are not limited to, an insulating foam adhesive, fumed silica,polyvinyl foam, other foam-type insulation, microspheres, nanospheres,insulating gasses, granulated insulation, combinations thereof, andother similar insulating materials 52 that can be incorporated within avacuum insulated structure.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described device and other components is not limitedto any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the devicedisclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unlessdescribed otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present device. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understoodthat such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claimsunless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodimentsonly. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the artand to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understoodthat the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merelyfor illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of thedevice, which is defined by the following claims as interpretedaccording to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine ofEquivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An insulation system for an appliance,comprising: a first vacuum insulated structure having a first set ofsidewalls that includes a first-structure inner liner that defines afirst refrigerating compartment and a first-structure outer wrapper; asecond vacuum insulated structure having a second set of sidewalls thatincludes a second-structure inner wrapper that defines a secondrefrigerating compartment and a second-structure outer wrapper; and amedial insulation structure having a rigid perimeter wall that extendsaround an outer perimeter of the medial insulation structure, whereinthe rigid perimeter wall includes a front portion that defines at leastone hinge support adapted to support an appliance door, wherein: therigid perimeter wall includes a first edge and a second edge that definean insulating cavity that is filled with an insulating material, whereinthe insulating material is contained within the rigid perimeter wall andbetween the first and second edges; and the first vacuum insulatedstructure engages the first edge of the rigid perimeter wall and thesecond vacuum insulated structure engages the second edge of the rigidperimeter wall to separate the first-structure and second-structureinner liners and the first-structure and second-structure outer wrappersfrom one another.
 2. The insulation system of claim 1, wherein the firstvacuum insulated structure includes an upper rigid support that definesan upper hinge support adapted to at least partially support theappliance door.
 3. The insulation system of claim 1, wherein the rigidperimeter wall includes a cross section defining a mullion wall, anupper flange and a lower flange, wherein the at least one hinge supportis defined in the mullion wall, wherein the first vacuum insulatedstructure engages the upper flange and the second vacuum insulatedstructure engages the lower flange.
 4. The insulation system of claim 2,wherein the first-structure inner liner and the first-structure outerwrapper are coupled together at a first-structure trim breaker thatspans therebetween and defines a seal of the first vacuum insulatedstructure.
 5. The insulation system of claim 4, wherein the upper rigidsupport is attached to the exterior of the first-structure outerwrapper.
 6. The insulation system of claim 4, wherein thesecond-structure inner liner and the second-structure outer wrapper arecoupled together at a second-structure trim breaker that spanstherebetween and defines a seal of the second vacuum insulatedstructure.
 7. The insulation system of claim 1, wherein the rigidperimeter wall includes an insulation port through which the insulatingmaterial is disposed within the insulating cavity.
 8. The insulationsystem of claim 7, wherein the insulating material is a foam-typeinjected insulation.
 9. The insulation system of claim 6, wherein thefirst-structure and second-structure trim breakers are injection moldedmembers that form hermetic seals of the first and second vacuuminsulated structures, respectively.
 10. An appliance comprising: a firstvacuum insulated structure defining a first refrigerating compartment,the first vacuum insulated structure having an injection moldedfirst-structure trim breaker extending between a first-structure innerliner and a first-structure outer wrapper of the first vacuum insulatedstructure; at least one door that is operable to at least partiallyenclose the first refrigerating compartment; and an interior mullionhaving a medial insulation structure with a rigid perimeter wall,wherein: the interior mullion further defines the first refrigeratingcompartment; the rigid perimeter wall is a continuous perimeter wallthat defines a metallic outer frame of the interior mullion, the rigidperimeter wall including a front portion that defines at least one hingesupport adapted to support the at least one door; upper and lowerflanges extend from the rigid perimeter wall to define an insulatingcavity that is at least partially filled with an insulating material;and the first-structure outer wrapper abuts the upper flange of therigid perimeter wall and remains separated from the lower flange. 11.The appliance of claim 10, further comprising: a second vacuum insulatedstructure defining a second refrigerating compartment, the second vacuuminsulated structure having an injection molded second-structure trimbreaker extending between a second-structure inner liner and asecond-structure outer wrapper of the second vacuum insulated structure,wherein the interior mullion at least partially defines the secondrefrigerating compartment, and wherein the second structure outerwrapper abuts the lower flange of the rigid perimeter wall and remainsseparated from the upper flange, and wherein the rigid perimeter wallseparates the first and second refrigerating compartments, wherein theinterior mullion entirely separates the first and second vacuuminsulated structures and the respective outer wrappers of the first andsecond vacuum insulated structures.
 12. The appliance of claim 10,wherein the rigid perimeter wall includes a mullion wall and an upperflange that engages the first vacuum insulated structure.
 13. Theappliance of claim 11, wherein the rigid perimeter wall includes a lowerflange that engages the second vacuum insulated structure.
 14. Theappliance of claim 10, wherein the at least one door includes right andleft French doors, and wherein the at least one hinge support includesright and left hinge supports that support the right and left Frenchdoors, respectively.
 15. The appliance of claim 10, wherein the firstvacuum insulated structure includes an upper rigid support that definesan upper hinge support adapted to at least partially support the atleast one door.